Zalman ZM-80C-HP — Noiseless and effective passive pipe cooling for graphics cards. Additional Zalman ZM-OP1 fan provides even more stability supplying airflow to both GPU, and card memory. Supports all card models with mounting holes around GPU. Optional Zalman ZM-OP1 is necessary for GeForce FX5800+ and Matrox Parhelia products. The system weighs 325g, pipes are made of gilded copper, heat-sink – of aluminium. Heat dissipating surface is 1200cm² in size.

Zalman ZM-OP1 — Dual-bearing fan for Zalman ZM-80C-HP passive graphics card cooling system that significantly improves its effectiveness. Sized 80x80x15mm, it works at 1400rpm (silent mode) or 2800rpm (normal mode) and provides up to 20dB in silent or 33dB in normal mode.

Transmeta will officially release the long-anticipated TM8000 processor, also named Astro, in September 2003. At least, this has been announced at the press conference dedicated to Q2 fiscal quarter results.

According to Dr. Matthew Perry, Transmeta CEO, in Q2 the company had started sampling 1.1GHz TM8000 and already received positive response from partners. He said TM8000 performance is about 50% higher in general applications and 80% higher in multimedia apps comparing to the existing TM5800.

According to Dr. Perry, the company has already signed the agreement with one of the largest OEMs regarding TM8000 shipments. Transmeta estimates the profit as about $6-8 million in H1 2004.

By the way, Transmeta’s current results are far from the best: in Q2 the company earned $5.1 million vs. $6 million in the previous quarter and especially vs. $7.5 million in Q2 2002. Quarter losses made $22.0 million or $0.16 per share. Transmeta explains this with $24.6 million half-year expenses only for Astro development and debugging.

The next quarter results are expected to be similar to the just announced. And only by the year-end, when TM8000 will start arriving in volumes, the company expects considerable shift to profitability.

Let’s revise TM8000 features again. This 0.13µm chip will support 256-bit VLIW (Very Long Instruction Words) vs. 128-bit VLIW of the current generation, and will perform up to 8 instructions per clock. Similar to the existing Crusoe solutions, TM8000 will have memory controller integrated into Northbridge. However, unlike today’s DDR266 support, Astro will work with DDR400 and ECC memory (additional feat for the server segment). The new CPU will have integrated AGP 4X interface along with Low Pin Count (LPC) bus for flash memory.

Besides, the existing Ali Southbridge used with Crusoe processors, PCI-X supporting models might appear as well. Along with the CPU, the company will announce newer LongRun-enabled software for recompiling x86 instructions into internal codes.

TM8000 volume production will be handled by Transmeta´s traditional partner manufacturer, TSMC.

We obtained such a rarity for our Hardware Museum. Introducing the photo of a unique 3D Banshee made by Ensoniq. Most likely, Ensoniq had time to release this before it was purchased by Creative. As you know, there was time when Creative was releasing Banshee-based cards as well.

At a recent press conference in Moscow Daphne Su, Chaintech sales division chief, announced the company motherboard and graphics card roadmap for the near future.

First of all, the company plans to extend its product lines. Except for traditional desktop motherboards and 3D-graphics, Chaintech is going to expand presence in the DVB receivers, media centers, desktop notebooks (IMO-DESK PC) and LCD TVs market segments.

Though the Russian market will, as usually, appreciate Chaintech’s traditional products most. As you know, the company differentiates its motherboards by platforms, indicating it visually on packages, by interfaces and bundled accessories. Besides, Chaintech solutions are also separated into three subgroups: maximum performance/features/accessories Zenith; overclockable Apogee offering optimal price/quality ratio; inexpensive entry-level Summit. The new desktop platform, AMD Athlon 64, should complicate the clear hierarchy a bit and introduce its own orange color.

Apogee cooling system, the so-called Gas-Turbine Technology, is worth mention as well. Providing <28dB noise, this triple-cooler system supplies airflow to all components due to the all-over-the-card casing. For example, Apogee FX71 equipped with such cooling features 38.6°C typical GPU temperature. Gas-Turbine Technology cards also feature stylish blue LED lights.